Clarinex helps relieve seasonal and indoor allergy symptoms, as well as chronic hives and itching. It works by blocking histamine -- a chemical in the body that causes sneezing, itching, and irritation when you come into contact with something you're allergic to. Clarinex does not, however, help clear nasal passages. Common side effects, while rare, include nausea, sore throat, and dry mouth.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by desloratadine and pseudoephedrine.
A California-based HMO that fought for years to get the FDA to force an over-thecounter OTC switch of three popular allergy drugs is now asking the agency to force an OTC switch on Schering-Ploughs Claritin successor, Clarinex.
|
